Unattended and Unlocked Medication Cart
Penalty
No penalty information released
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Summary
A deficiency occurred when Medication Cart #1 was found unattended and unlocked near the nurses' desks in the 500-hall at 4:35 AM. The LVN assigned to the cart was observed administering medications to residents in their rooms and confirmed during an interview that the cart was left unlocked. The Director of Nurses stated that medication carts are expected to be locked when not in use or when the nurse steps away from the cart, and acknowledged that the responsibility for ensuring the carts are locked lies with the nursing staff. The unlocked cart was accessible while the nurse was away from it, contrary to facility policy and accepted professional principles for medication storage.